6 June 2025
It's been another very busy week with lots of meetings and visits. The good news is that I am now driving again so my countless taxi trips are over, I can now get about without relying on lifts and I have also ditched my crutches.
To start the week, I met with Mike Greene, Tracey Carter and Iain Robinson, to get an update on regeneration across the Borough. We have so many schemes in progress and future plans that it's hard to keep up. I regularly get updates so that I know what's going on. I don't think there are many Local Authorities that have so many exciting projects and I look forward to seeing them completed.
After that myself, Mike Greene and Marc Stephenson met with Matt Storey, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Cleveland, and Lisa Olroyd, Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer for the PCC's office. We have regular meetings to discuss policing and future initiatives. It's also an opportunity for us to talk about funding and our priorities.
This week I also met with Rob Whiteman, ex-Chief Executive of Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), as part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority's (TVCA) improvement journey following their Best Value Notice. Rob wanted to ask my views on our relationship with TVCA and improvements that the Combined Authority are making, as well as our future plans.
I have had meetings on our affordable housing plans, the disability funding grant, Cabinet pre-agenda and mid-week I had a pre-meeting to set an agenda for the Health and Wellbeing Board, for which I am Chair. I was also interviewed by a journalist from The Guardian around regeneration, industrial strategy and the current political landscape. I'm not sure that I will ever be totally comfortable giving interviews and having loads of photographs taken!
Yesterday I met with Mike Greene and other officers to discuss the presentation we're giving as part of the LGC Council of the Year judging process. The presentation is next Wednesday in London, and we need to be well prepared to demonstrate why we should win the award.
In the afternoon I met with Superintendent John Wrintmore, Cllr Norma Stephenson and Marc Stephenson for one of our regular updates around policing in the Borough and any current issues.
Today I have a quieter diary so I'm taking the time to prepare for next week and catch up on emails and paperwork, as well as a physio session.
The weather isn't looking too good for the weekend, but I am hoping for a bit of sunshine tomorrow when I am having family around for food and a catch up. I hope you all have a great weekend.
